Drivers bat for security along NH-2

Drivers bat for security along NH-2By Our Staff ReporterIMPHAL, Nov 23: The All Manipur Inter State Winger and Cruiser Driver Welfare Union (AMIW and CDWU) has urged the State Government to beef up security along National Highway 2 (Imphal-Dimapur road) to thwart extortion racket and assault on drivers by unidentified miscreants.Speaking to media persons at Manipur Press Club today, the association’s president Ch Shankarjit said that some unidentified miscreants are resorting to extortion and assault on the drivers of passenger carrying Winger, cruiser and taxi along National Highway 2 Imphal-Dimapur road.He explained that this month alone, there have been seven cases of extortion and assault of drivers by the unidentified miscreants along the said road.Shankarjit said that the unidentified individuals, sometimes armed with guns, regularly extort money from the drivers and the passengers, along the 40 kilometres road stretch from Taphou to Motbung.He further claimed that if the drivers refuse to pay money to the miscreants, they (drivers) are often thrashed mercilessly. Shankarjit expressed desire for Senapati and Kangpokpi police stations to deploy more security personnel along the road as the said incidents are becoming more common.Demanding the State Government to look into the matter and take up necessary security steps within 15 days, he said that the drivers will be forced to launch intense agitation if there is no positive response from the authority.